The No-Star Team |
Story Highlights
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Voting for this year's All-Star teams already is inspiring a lot of spirited dialogue. For instance, who should start the game for the National League -- Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum or Arizona's Brandon Webb? Hard to make a case against any of those three pitchers. Meanwhile, the debates could be just heated for the No-Star teams, the absolute worst of the worst. Lots of big names, some with huge contracts, populate my team of the least productive players so far this year. Bring on the No-Stars. National League1B -- Adam LaRoche, Pirates (.221 batting average, 6 home runs, 25 RBIs). The habitually slow starter is dragging down an otherwise overachieving team. Carlos Delgado's recent hot streak spares him inclusion. 2B -- Rickie Weeks, Brewers (.210, 7, 20). The No. 2 pick overall in the 2003 draft hasn't lived up to his potential. At first it was struggles in the field, now the problems are at the plate. SS -- Khalil Greene, Padres (.212, 5, 24). Fast finishing shortstop is one of many failing for the Padres. His .312 slugging percentage is abysmal for a guy with power, even at PETCO Park. Troy Tulowitzki (.152, 1, 11) wasn't himself before getting hurt. Dodgers rookie Chin-lung Hu (.159) may not be ready for the bigs. 3B -- Bill Hall, Brewers (.225, 9, 24). And his play at third base hasn't exactly been stellar, either. C -- J.R. Towles, Astros (.145, 4, 14). Hate to pick on a rookie, but that average is unsightly. Jason Kendall (.564 OPS) is back to Earth after a hot start. Josh Bard (.200 batting average, .540 OPS) is yet another struggling Padre. OF -- Andruw Jones, Dodgers (.165, 2, 7); Austin Kearns, Nationals (.187, 3, 16); Willy Taveras, Rockies (.234, 0, 11). Per dollar, Jones sets the standards. The entire Nationals outfield has been pretty dreadful. Wily Mo Pena (.522 OPS) will forever frustrate as the ultimate tools player who just plain can't play. SP -- Barry Zito, Giants (2-9, 5.83); Brad Penny, Dodgers (5-8, 5.38); Ian Snell, Pirates (2-6, 5.65); Jeff Francis, Rockies (2-6, 5.45); Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies (1-6, 5.43). This should be a pretty fair rotation. But not this year. Combined, they are 12-35. American League1B -- Richie Sexson, Mariners (.214, 9, 23). A lot of money, $50 million to be exact) for very little production. 2B -- Robinson Cano, Yankees (.231, 4, 20). For sheer shock, he's the AL overall winner. Looked primed to become a superstar; but so far he's an out machine. That .599 OPS is ugly. The Indians' Asdrubal Cabrera (.184 batting average before being sent down) has been even worse. But based on higher expectations, Cano gets the nod. SS -- Tony Pena Jr., Royals (.155, 0, 7). His production (.368 OPS) is so poor it can't be justified by his glove. 3B -- Adrian Beltre, Mariners (.222, 13, 28). He and Sexson are laughing all the way to the bank. Never came close to duplicating that final year in Dodgerland. C -- Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers (.250, 1, 21). Big spring (nine home runs) has been followed by awful start. Just lost half his job to Brandon Inge. OF -- Curtis Granderson, Tigers (.235, 8, 20); Adam Jones, Orioles (.249, 4, 26); Gary Matthews Jr., Angels (.249, 6, 30). Everyone's a disappointment in Detroit. Jones is learning on the job. Matthews' time with the Angels has been disappointing from the start. DH -- Travis Hafner, Indians (.217, 4, 22). Former star has absolutely killed Cleveland (as has much of their lineup). The Tigers' Gary Sheffield (.213, 3, 12) gets dishonorable mention. SP -- Justin Verlander, Tigers (2-9, 5.05); Jarrod Washburn, Mariners (2-7, 6.09); Carlos Silva, Mariners (3-7, 5.79); Boof Bonser, Twins (3-6, 6.00); Nate Robertson, Tigers (4-6, 5.88). Dontrelle Willis can't make the game since he's currently pitching for Class-A Lakeland, but two other Tigers pitchers can. The Mariners could have three in this rotation; Miguel Batista (3-7, 6.00) has been pretty bad, too.
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